Welfare-to-work chief Emma Harrison steps down as ‘family champion’

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She lives with family and friends in what she calls a 'posh commune'David Marsden/Page One

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The underground bar at Thornbridge HallDavid Marsden/Page One

Anushka AsthanaChief Political Correspondent

Last updated at 5:44PM, February 23 2012

Emma Harrison, the self-made millionaire appointed by the Prime Minister to
help to turn around the lives of Britain’s most troubled households, has
stepped down from her government role.

The “Family Champion” said that she did not want the
fraud investigation that has embroiled her company, A4e, and resulted in
four arrests of former staff to “distract” from efforts to help vulnerable
families.

Since 2005 the Department for Work and Pensions has begun nine fraud inquiries
against the company, which earned £180 million from state contracts last
year. A4e has also just won a new contract from the Cabinet Office